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[The Shadow]

Flax Seed Oil - Frequently Asked Questions

What is Flax?
Flax is the common name for a herb of the Linaceae Family. Flax used to be one of the major sources of cloth fibre (Linen) until the cotton industry took over. The oil is extracted from organically grown flax seeds using a special cold-pressing process which minimizes the damaging effects of light, oxygen and heat.

What is Flax Seed Oil?
Seeds from the Flax plant, native to Eurasia, are crushed to make Flax Seed Oil, often named Linseed Oil.

What are the Benefits of Supplementing with Flax Seed Oil?

Flax Seed Oil shortens recovery time for fatigued muscles after exertion.
Flax Seed Oil increases the body’s production of energy and also increases stamina.
Flax Seed Oil accelerates the healing of sprains.
It eases weight loss in people afflicted with obesity.
It stimulates brown fat cells and increases the metabolic rate making it easier to burn off fat.
Flax Seed Oil improves the absorption of Calcium.
There is evidence to support that may improve the function of the anabolic hormone, insulin.
It is able to accelerate the healing of bruises.
Flax Seed Oil strengthens finger and toe nails.
It can improve eyesight and perception of colours.
It can often improve the function of the liver.
It can relieve the side effects and stop development of many forms of cancer.
Flax Seed Oil can relieve some cases of Asthma.
In some cases it may relieve Alopecia Areata with hair regrowth (After 1 Year of use).
It is helpful in the treatment of Eczema or flaky skin.
It is helpful in the treatment of Dandruff and also dull hair.
It can relieve the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. It can relieve the symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus.
It can alleviate some allergies.
It helps prevent Atherosclerosis
Flax Seed Oil lowers high blood pressure in Hypertension sufferers.
Flax Seed Oil has been scientifically proven to treat some cases of depression.
It can improve the mental function of many old age pensioners.
It can help in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.
It has been proven to improve the behavior of Schizophrenics.
It can relieve some cases of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) in females.
The dietary essential fatty acids common to Flax Seed Oil are converted by the body to Prostaglandin's (a hormone like substance) which are important for regulating the following:

Steroid Production & hormone synthesis.
Pressure in joints, blood vessels and the eye.
Blood Clotting Ability.
Water retention.
Inflammation Pain.
Nerve Transmission.
Why Should I Consider Supplementing With Flax Seed Oil?
Our bodies are unable to produce the essential fatty acids (EFA’s) contained in Flax Seed Oil. In order to gain these we must consume this natural substance through dietary or supplement consumption. Surveys prove that around 80% of the population is deficient in EFA’s. Commercial refinement of foods containing fats and oils has almost eliminated EFA from our food chain. Flax seed oil is unique as it contains both essential fatty acids, alpha-linolenic (an Omega-3 fatty acid) and linoleic acid (an Omega-6 Fatty acid) in generous amounts. Flax seed oil is one of the richest sources of Omega-3 EFA’s. It has 57% more Omega-3 fatty acids than fish oils.) EFA's are needed for the body to make "Prostaglandin's" which are hormone like substances. There are two EFA's that we need: Linoleic acid (Omega 6) and Linolenic Acid (Omega 3). A lack of these two fatty acids can cause a decrease in Testosterone levels. It is a valuable addition to the daily diet of both normal people and bodybuilders.

Do Other Supplements Have an Effect on Flax Seed Oil?
People who are deficient in Vitamins A, C, E, B2, B6, Pantothenic Acid, B12, biotin and minerals Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, and Zinc may have difficulty converting the Omega 6 fatty acid into the healthful prostaglandin's. Any good multivitamin supplement will ensure a good supply of these. Scientific research has proven that a combination of Flax Seed Oil with Borage Seed Oil to be an excellent combination offering a true "Omega Twin". The best Omega-3 fatty acids come from the Flax seed oil and the best Omega-6 fatty acids are provided by the Borage Seed Oil. Excessive alcohol intake can damage the enzymes needed to utilise the EFA in Flax Seed Oil.

But if I Eat Fat, Surely I Will Become Fat?
No, it is not a question of fat, It is a question of the right fat. Flax Seed Oil is one of the healthiest sources of fat. It is understandable that some are reluctant to increase their fat intake for fear that they will get fat but no-one has ever gotten fat from consuming Flax Seed Oil in any quantity. Cutting out fats is good from a cardiovascular viewpoint but it reduces Testosterone levels. To ensure that Testosterone levels remain at an acceptable level, Flax Seed Oil and EFA’s seem to be the healthiest fats to consume. Every diet needs a percentage of Fat. Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids are anti-lipogenic (which means they block fat storage) and increase beta oxidation (fat burning).

So What Types of Fat Does Flax Seed Oil contain? 1 gram of Flax Seed Oil contains the following:

Superunsaturated Fatty acids: Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) – 550mg
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Linoleic Fatty Acid – 170mg
Saturated Fatty Acids: Palmitic Acid 60mg, Stearic Acid 40mg
Monosaturated Fatty Acids: Oleic Acid 180mg
Note: This may vary depending upon the brand that you buy.

 

[FitFossil]

I take this daily, but what is the recommended dosage for 120 lb female?

That was a greatpost! I'll print it out for my mother-in-law (who could benefit from it because she eats absolutely no fat but is overweight). She saw it in her refrigerator when I was visiting and thinks it's just one of those "back-to-the-earth" gimmicks.

 

[NY Muscle]

FYI Cinnamon flax seed oil by Spectrum Essentials (black bottle with red writing) tastes pretty damn good, i drink it out of the bottle, no joke.

 

[The Shadow]

Work your way up to a couple tablespoons per day, maybe three.

 

[Genie]

Work your way up to a couple tablespoons per day, maybe three.

Great post! Very informative - I have been looking for more information on flaxseed and you pretty much summed it all up.

Flaxseed oil is available in capsule form as well, correct? Is there a difference b/t the actual oil and the pill as far as effectiveness goes?

 

[The Shadow]

Great post! Very informative - I have been looking for more information on flaxseed and you pretty much summed it all up.

Flaxseed oil is available in capsule form as well, correct? Is there a difference b/t the actual oil and the pill as far as effectiveness goes?

Effectiveness should be the same. Pain to swallow all those pills though. Make sure that if you purchase the liquid, that it has been stored in a refrigerator before and after purchase.

 

[Audacious1]

I was gonna start a post asking this, but this seems to be the place to ask...what about actual whole flax seeds?...are they the same as taking the oil? I bought a bag of flax seeds and put them in with my chicken or eggs when cooking. Am i getting the full benefits from the whole seeds? I would think so b/c flax oil is just made from crushing up the seeds.

 

[The Shadow]

Flax is made form cold pressing the seeds.....so eating the seeds would be of benefit as well.

 

[Debu]

Cornholio - I did get FAT when I added 1-2 Tablespoons to my diet. I had 150g of carbs, and 120-150proteins. Perhaps I should have cut out the carbs?

 

[The Shadow]

Cornholio - I did get FAT when I added 1-2 Tablespoons to my diet. I had 150g of carbs, and 120-150proteins. Perhaps I should have cut out the carbs?

Very unusual. What is your scale weight and bf%??

 

[FitFossil]

Cornholio - I did get FAT when I added 1-2 Tablespoons to my diet. I had 150g of carbs, and 120-150proteins. Perhaps I should have cut out the carbs?

Did you factor in that flaxseed oil is a fat? A good fat that you need, but still need to factor it in your total fat/calorie consumption. As for manipulating your carb/protein ratios, everyone's different. I generally do 50% carb/30% pro /20% fat. Sometimes I might up the pro and lower the carbs, but never less than 20% fat 95% of which is "healthy" fat.

 

[SheHuLK]

Great thread. I had no idea that flax seed oil had so many different benefits. My fiance told me about it, he had been telling me for a while that I really needed some good fat in my diet so I recently bought some. Mine tastes really yucky Not so much right away, but after I drink it, it leaves a nasty after-taste. I've been trying to think of ways to make it better... adding it to my protein shakes has helped. I was taking a tablespoon of it a day, since thats what it said on the bottle... I weigh about 115, and after reading this thread i suppose i should be taking more than that. Also, mine wasn't refrigerated when I bought it, should i go buy a new one??

 

[b fold the truth]

I just wonder how important supplements are. Not to take anything away from them at all...but is Flax See Oil really gonna be the make or break of how I look or perform? I just can't see spending money on something that MIGHT give me a small boost.

Thoughts?

B True

 

[vixenbabe]

Originally posted by Audacious1 ]
I was gonna start a post asking this, but this seems to be the place to ask...what about actual whole flax seeds?...are they the same as taking the oil? I bought a bag of flax seeds and put them in with my chicken or eggs when cooking. Am i getting the full benefits from the whole seeds? I would think so b/c flax oil is just made from crushing up the seeds.
-------------------------------------------------------------

I buy the seeds at my local health food store...I THROW THEM INTO EVERYTHING I COOK!

Keep them in the fridge as well!

 

[The Shadow]

I just wonder how important supplements are. Not to take anything away from them at all...but is Flax See Oil really gonna be the make or break of how I look or perform? I just can't see spending money on something that MIGHT give me a small boost.

Thoughts?

B True

Flax is one of those things, like ALA that will has numerous benefits. I think it is very important as one diets down to cut up or enter a show.

It's ability to act almost as an anti-oxidant to decrease healing time for numerous training type injuries would most definitely help performance.

 

[Temple]

Shehulk - I don't like the aftertaste from it either and I can taste it when I add it to a shake. I mix it with a bit of vinegar and some different kinds of salts and use it as a dressing on salad and vegetables. It even makes it easier to get a tablespoon of it down.

 

[NY Muscle]

Shehulk - I don't like the aftertaste from it either and I can taste it when I add it to a shake. I mix it with a bit of vinegar and some different kinds of salts and use it as a dressing on salad and vegetables. It even makes it easier to get a tablespoon of it down.

Cinnamon flavored flax seed oil by Spectrum Essentials...TRUST ME on this one..it tastes good..i drink it from the bottle.

 

[Temple]

NYM - I am going to order some of that. The salad dressing is good but you can only take so much of that before it gets to be a bit much.

 

[NY Muscle]

NYM - I am going to order some of that. The salad dressing is good but you can only take so much of that before it gets to be a bit much.

the cinnamon flax is great for low/no carb dieting, cause u can add it to plain whey and water and make it taste good and have no carbs.

 

[The Shadow]

Great thread. i suppose i should be taking more than that. Also, mine wasn't refrigerated when I bought it, should i go buy a new one??

As long as you account for the increase in fat calories by replacing them with the flax, you shouldn't have any problems.

Hmmmmmm.....my flax has virtually no taste. I bought mine refigerated.

You guys look at the expiry dates on the bottles.

Now MCT - they taste like ass.

 

[FitFossil]

If your flaxseed oil tastes nasty...

If your flaxseed oil tastes nasty, it is rancid - throw it out. It only keeps about 2 months and MUST be refrigerated. It should have a slightly nutty flavor. Granted the taste and oily texture won't be to everyone's liking, but fresh flaxseed oil should be easy to mask in other things.

 

[The Shadow]

Exactly. If it tastes bad - check the expiry dates.